Port of Antwerp Authority goes diesel-free

Entire vehicle fleet to be fuelled sustainably

Port of Antwerp Authority goes diesel-free

Entire vehicle fleet to be fuelled sustainably

Not so long ago, company cars in Belgium were synonymous with
diesel. But that period is now virtually over. Not only has the
difference in the cost of fuel compared to petrol cars all but
melted away, businesses are taking more and more account of the
environmental impact. Alternatives such as hybrid and electric cars
are gaining in popularity.

The Port of Antwerp Authority is a pioneer in this regard. It
already took the decision four years ago to make its entire car fleet
diesel-free and to switch to more environmentally-friendly fuels.

Marijke Tahon and Steve Pottiez know all about it:
as vehicle managers, they are responsible for everything on four
wheels at the Port Authority.

And that’s a lot. The Port authority employs
around 1,600 people, spread over ten locations in the
port. The most important of these is undoubtedly the ‘Havenhuis’
– the HQ building with its spectacular architecture, where 600
employees are based.

‘Our current fleet consists of 130 pool
cars, which are shared for professional use’, Steve says, ‘and a
hundred company cars for managers and executives, all of
which are provided by operational lease.’

‘70% of them currently consist of petrol
hybrids, and 30% run on CNG (natural gas). But we’ve also had
two fully electric cars since last year, and we recently took
delivery of 11 brand-new Nissan Leafs from the latest
generation’, Steve explains.

New generation

But let’s start by going back four years: ‘We
took the decision in 2014 to move away from our diesel fleet and to
switch fully to petrol hybrids. Toyota was still the biggest
supplier at that time. The first car from back then is now also due
for replacement’, Marijke says.

‘Two years ago, we cast our net a little more
widely and also began to lease CNG cars, specifically the Skoda Citigo
and Skoda Octavia Combi.’

‘We’re still not 100% diesel-free’, Steve notes.
‘Seveso safety regulations specify that only diesel vehicles
are permitted for use at the terminals in the port. So we still have
20 or so diesel cars in service.’

But those remain the exception to the rule; the
Port Authority has otherwise opted firmly for cars with a higher
eco score. Because concern about the environment was always the
primary motivation behind the choice.

Natural choice

Back in 2014, the Flemish decree on the
introduction of low-emission zones was already in the pipeline.
It came into effect at the beginning of 2017, but the Port Authority
had already decided to take action.

‘We had a large number of vehicles on a fairly big
site, and so we wanted to do our bit’, Marijke says. ‘We also
wanted to assume responsibility and, to some extent, to set an
example: not just talking about it, but acting too.’

‘We have our own internal environmental
department as well’, Steve adds, ‘which takes a very broad view
of all things ecological throughout the port zone. At the same time,
it encourages us not just to spread the word to the rest of the port
community, but to try our very best ourselves too. Every framework
agreement or purchase needs a positive recommendation from that
department.’

Sustainable but expensive?

A question that comes up frequently is that this is
all well and good, but what does it cost?

Marijke and Steve think that this is missing the
point. ‘We’re in the privileged position that we don’t have to focus
purely on the figures. In principle, it can cost a little more,
provided there is a positive environmental impact in return’,
Steve says.

‘You have to focus primarily on the positive
consequences, and base your consideration on the long term, not simply
the moment of purchase.

What’s more, the average fuel cost is also
falling systematically thanks to the switch, especially as we move
increasingly towards electric cars.’

The Port Authority is looking firmly towards the
future in this regard too, by installing charging stations at various
locations. There are already 25 charging stations at the
Havenhuis alone, where not only employees, but also visitors with an
electric car can ‘fill up’.

Pride

Talking of employees, how have they responded to
the switch? ‘There was quite a lot of caution at the beginning’, Steve admits.

‘Four years ago, hybrid cars were still fairly
new, and you also had to learn to drive an automatic. But the people
here quickly got used to it and that initial hesitance soon
evaporated, thanks in part to the high quality and reliability of
the cars.’

‘More than that’, Marijke adds, ‘there’s also a
certain pride in helping to do the right thing ecologically. No
one wants to be left behind, and the general atmosphere in the
organisation today expresses that too: looking forward is part of our culture.’

This is also clear now that 20 of the Port
Authority’s company cars are due for replacement. For half of these,
the relevant departments immediately opted for the fully electric
alternative. And that’s a choice that looks set to become more popular
in the near future.

About KBC Autolease

The Port of Antwerp Authority is working with KBC
Autolease to ‘green’ its vehicle fleet. As a leading player
in the Belgian car lease market, we emphasise a future-proof fleet
policy, in which it is evolving increasingly firmly from a leasing
company to a mobility provider.

We currently offer companies a wide range of solutions to help them
organise their mobility management efficiently and in a way that meets
the needs of all their employees. The standard diesel car is
increasingly making way for the bicycle, public transport and
petrol, hybrid or electric vehicles.

A question? Contact us

Welcome to the KBC website!

Your choice has been noted.

KBC uses cookies to make your online experience more convenient and to respond better to your needs and preferences. By browsing the site, you agree to the use of these cookies. Require more information? Or prefer not to accept cookies?

Cookie statement

KBC uses cookies to make your online experience more convenient and to better align the content of our websites and applications with your needs and preferences.

You can refuse to allow the installation of cookies, but some parts our websites and applications will not function optimally as a result. If you continue browsing a KBC website, log into a KBC app or click on 'I accept cookies', then you consent to the use of cookies in conformity with this cookie statement. You can withdraw your permission at any time by amending your cookie preference.

You can find more information about KBC’s use of cookies, how KBC protects your privacy and how to amend your cookie preference below.

1. What are cookies?

Cookies are small files that are installed on your computer, smartphone or tablet when you visit a website or use an application.

There are various types of cookies, which ensure that you can be recognised for various purposes, e.g. storing your language preference in order to make your visit to our websites more convenient. Thus you need not select your language each time you visit. Other cookies are anonymous and collect information on how visitors use a website or application.

Where we mention “cookies” in this document, we are referring to cookies and to comparable technologies, such as software development kits (SDKs). These are used to achieve the same purposes in apps as cookies do in browsers.

2. What types of cookies are there?

KBC distinguishes among 3 types of cookies. You will find a list of all the specific cookies that KBC uses in point 8 .

Essential cookies are required for the operation of our websites and applications. These cookies are necessary for verifying your identity when you log in, for example.

Analysis cookies are anonymous cookies that collect information about the way visitors use our websites and applications (pages visited, average duration of visit, etc.) to improve the operation of the sites and the applications in general.

KBC also uses a variety of other non-anonymous cookies to register your preferences or behaviour for various purposes:

Functionality cookies make browsing more convenient, such as by remembering your language preference;

Advertising and personalisation cookies collect information about your browsing habits with the aim of offering you advertising or content that falls within your sphere of interest

Tracking cookies are used to track your browsing behaviour on one or more websites

Social Media cookies are used to share information with social media parties such as Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn

A cookie can have multiple purposes.

3. How long do cookies remain?

Temporary cookies are temporarily stored in your browser or application. As soon as you close your browser or application, these cookies are automatically deleted.

Permanent cookies remain on your computer, tablet or smartphone, even after you close the browser or application. Permanent cookies make it possible to recognise you during a subsequent visit to the website. They remain on your device until such time as their expiry date is reached, a new version of the cookie is installed, or you manually delete them .

4. Who installs and manages cookies?

First-party cookies are installed and managed by KBC. They are specific to the KBC website that is visited or the KBC application used.

Third-party cookies are installed and controlled by a third party. They are installed during your visit to a KBC website or use of a KBC application. They ensure that your visit to the KBC website or your use of an application results in certain information being sent to third parties.

5. What about your privacy?

The KBC privacy statement contains more information about the KBC privacy policy, including about your rights if and when KBC processes your personal data,such as during the use of cookies.

If KBC uses third-party cookies (see point 4), it makes sure that third parties cannot identify you from the data stored in them.

Already a KBC client? Then we can establish a secure link between your cookies and personal data on you in our systems. Naturally, only if you permit us to use cookies. If you later change your cookie choice, we stop storing your cookie details immediately you refuse cookies. If you subsequently change back your cookie choice and again allow us to use cookies, we add your cookies back to the previous cookies.
When you opt for 'personalised information', for this we use stored cookie data to help us provide you with the information that you want. Find out more about 'personalised information' in the KBC Privacy Statement.

6. What effect does your cookie preference have?

If your preference is selected on a kbc.be-domain, it applies to all websites with “kbc.be” in the address (e.g. www.kbc.be/ondernemen/en.html, privatebanking.kbc.be/en). Separate preferences are set for all cbc.be and kbcbrussels.be-domain websites. If you use multiple browsers (such as Internet Explorer, Safari and Chrome) then you must select a preference for each browser separately.

You can select a cookie preference in the following KBC apps: KBC Assist, KBC Business, KBC Business Dashboard, KBC Invest, KBC K'Ching, KBC Mobile and KBC Touch. Your preference only applies to the application that you select the preference in.

7. How to change your cookie preference?

a. Accepting or refusing cookies for KBC websites and KBC apps

On a website: at the bottom of a web page, select 'Change cookie preference' then 'More information on cookies' and choose accordingly.

In an application: select 'Change cookie preference' in the menu and choose accordingly.

Do you want cookies? Select “I accept cookies”.

Prefer not to accept cookies? Select “I refuse cookies”. Remember that that means you won't get optimal operation of the website or application.

Note: legally, KBC does not need your permission to continue to use essential cookies (see 2, above) and changing your cookie preference does not change that.

You can disable third-party SDKs in the KBC applications by selecting “I refuse cookies”.

c. In certain browsers you can choose not to be followed by websites (“Do not follow” or “Do not track”). KBC only considers its own cookie mechanism and does not support “Do not track”.

d. Accepting, refusing or deleting all cookies

You can refuse to allow the installation of cookies in your browser settings. You can also remove all installed cookies from your computer or mobile device at any time. The methods for refusing cookies in the commonest browsers can be found at http://www.aboutcookies.org.

8. What cookies does KBC use and why?

KBC uses cookies to make your online experience more convenient and to respond better to your needs and preferences. By browsing the site, you agree to the use of these cookies. Require more information? Or prefer not to accept cookies?Click here.